Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety meeting, June 9, 2026
- When: Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928552?video=1198513547
- Transcript: full text (9,645 words, automatic captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, chaired by Alderman Daniel La Spata, heard public comment and observed a moment of silence for CDOT staff member Riley O'Neill, who was killed while cycling. The committee approved the May Rule 45 report and recommended approval of a substitute order calling for the City to develop an ADA transition plan, after testimony from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, a blind resident, the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, and CDOT; the substitute replaces an 18-month deadline with reporting to the committee every six months. CDOT presented planned closures for repairs to the 93rd Street pedestrian bridge (about nine months) and the Carmen Avenue pedestrian bridge (about two months) in a subject matter hearing. The committee then recommended approval of routine direct introduction, recommended, and no-recommendation items, with four items held in committee.
Topics: ADA transition plan, sidewalk accessibility, accessible pedestrian signals, pedestrian bridge closures, stop sign warrants, traffic safety, routine traffic ordinances
Agenda items discussed
- 40:56 Rule 45 report for May: passed
- 41:18 Substitute order calling for the City of Chicago to develop an Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan: passed
- 1:23:22 Subject matter hearing on closures for 93rd Street pedestrian bridge repairs and Carmen Avenue pedestrian walkway repairs: discussed
- 1:31:41 Direct introduction ordinances on agenda pages two through four: passed
- 1:31:58 Recommended items on agenda pages five through 16: passed
- 1:32:17 No-recommendation items on agenda pages 16 through 21, including two substitutes: passed
- 1:32:54 Items 10, 11, and 12 on page 17 and item two on page 20: held
Alderpersons who spoke
- Daniel La Spata (chair): Recognized the passing of CDOT staff member Riley O'Neill, said he was a responsible cyclist failed by conditions the committee is working to address, and asked for a moment of silence. (39:35); Explained the ADA transition plan substitute removes the 18-month deadline, requires reports every six months, and adjusts language at the Law Department's request. (41:34); Asked the Commissioner of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities to describe progress on accessibility of city facilities. (57:59)
- Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Asked whether the city could adopt a 311-style process for sidewalk repairs instead of relying on aldermanic menu funds, noting differences in ward sizes. (1:05:00); Asked for a timeline for CDOT's review of sidewalk processes. (1:08:24); Requested through the chair a public-facing summary of how sidewalks get fixed so offices can inform residents. (1:09:09)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Said sidewalk repairs are complaint-based and largely funded by menu money, and suggested routine inspection and an inventory prioritized by mobility needs. (1:10:30); Asked whether there is a regular maintenance plan for ADA curb ramps whose plates pop out. (1:11:27); Asked about funding for audible pedestrian signals, which he said are mostly paid for with menu funds outside downtown. (1:12:43)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Read the transition plan requirements in the order, including responsible officials, a barrier inventory, a schedule, methods, and community participation. (1:15:39); Described accessibility issues in the 48th Ward and discussed making the lakefront more accessible. (1:16:11); Raised three areas for consideration: use of menu funds, existing policies prioritizing accessibility, and shifting a car-centric culture. (1:17:09)
Exchanges between members
- 1:04:54 Martin thanked the chair for bringing the ADA transition plan order forward.
- 1:06:01 Martin cited Chico's ward as having more sidewalk mileage than smaller wards when discussing sidewalk repair funding.
- 1:10:51 Lawson said Martin had raised good sidewalk questions and added his own on complaint-based repairs.
- 1:14:25 The chair thanked Lawson for his questions.
- 1:14:44 Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked the chair for acknowledging the loss of Riley O'Neill.
- 1:15:12 Manaa-Hoppenworth referred to Martin's point about ward size differences.